“When she got to hospital, the cardiac surgeon said she was dying, and close to death.

Abbey Road in Stoke-on-Trent where Carol was stabbed outside her daughter’s primary school

“She was only saved by his prompt action and that of others.

“They carried out immediate open heart surgery to repair the damage that you had done.

“As a result of that attack she has suffered lasting effects.

“She has scarring, and suffers from nightmares.”

The court heard Simpson charged at Miss Bailey and wrestled her to the ground in the middle of the street before stabbing her outside the gates of Abbey Hulton Primary School.

She was rushed to hospital where she underwent emergency open-heart surgery for a damaged pulmonary artery.

Her condition was so bad that members of her family were banned from seeing her for 24 hours after medics said the slightest infection could kill her.

David Bennett, prosecuting, said: “She was walking home on her own when she noticed the defendant.

“He raced towards her and wrestled her to the ground.

“He said, ‘I’m going to kill you, you bitch’.”

The court heard Simpson, of Bentilee, Staffs., had lived with Miss Bailey for 18 months but she had ended the relationship after he punched and kicked her in January 2011.

But he refused to accept the relationship was over and continued to bombard her with jealous emails and text messages before the savage attack.

He also wrongly accused her of cheating him out of thousands of pounds for work he claimed he had carried out at her home.

Patrick Thompson, defending, said: “He had only one caution against his name, and before this relationship he was of good character.

“Because of the stress he was experiencing, he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.

“That is no defence, but that is something the court can properly take into account.”

After the case, Detective Inspector Steve Maxfield, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a premeditated attempt by Simpson to seriously injure his former partner due to ongoing difficulties in their relationship.

“Simpson was intent on harming his victim and used force as he inflicted several puncture wounds.”

Subscribe

Add your comment

Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House RulesI agree to the House RulesYou must agree to the House Rules to continue.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy